Nakasendo Trail and Post Towns Private Hike from Nagoya

Transportation is provided in our private, company vehicles

Duration9h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Discover the timeless beauty of rural Japan on a guided private journey along the historic Nakasendo Trail, once traveled by samurai and merchants. Departing from Nagoya, this full-day tour combines cultural insight, scenic landscapes, and sustainable travel.

Begin with a visit to a museum showcasing the work of Utagawa Hiroshige, where you can learn traditional woodblock printing techniques used to paint each post town along the trail. Then explore the beautifully preserved post town of Tsumago-juku before embarking on an 8 km guided hike through forests, farmland, and waterfalls. Along the trail, enjoy peaceful moments in nature and connect with local traditions at a historic teahouse. Arrive in the charming hillside town of Magome-juku, where you can sample regional foods and browse handcrafted souvenirs.

This experience offers an authentic and immersive way to connect with Japan’s cultural heritage at a relaxed and meaningful pace.

What's included

Transportation during the tour
English speaking guide
Entry fees at all tour stops

Accommodation
As lunch options are limited, please purchase a bento box or other food items before the tour starts, and bring them with you. Time will be allotted to eat while on the trail.

What to expect

Ena
1h

Our first destination is an art museum dedicated to one of Japan’s most famous landscape artists and his iconic works of the historic Nakasendo route.

There you will discover not only how culturally significant this trail once was, but also all the work and techniques that go into making ukiyoe (woodblock) paintings. You will even get the chance to create a simple print yourself.

After learning about the importance of the Nakasendo trail, we will travel to our next stop where you will see one of the best-preserved post towns along the Samurai Road.
Tsumago Post Office
30m

Tsumago-juku was the forty-second of the sixty-nine post towns on the Nakasendo trail. The charming town consists of inns, houses, and shops—many of which were built in the Edo era. You will be able to imagine what life was like for a samurai or a traveler as your guide leads you through this historic village.

Before starting the hike, you will receive a hiking certificate which you can get stamped in both towns to prove that you hiked this section of the Nakasendo trail. The certificate is made out of local wood, a specialty of the region, making it a truly unique souvenir.
Nakasendo Tsumagojuku
3h

We will then set off on our hike down the Nakasendo trail—one of five ancient roads connecting the de facto capital of Edo (Tokyo) with other regions in Japan. The trail was most prominent during the Edo era.

Today, most of the original Nakasendo has been lost to time or converted into modern highways and railway lines. However, the section of the trail we will hike remains relatively unchanged from the time of the samurai. You will even see segments of the trail with original cobblestone.
Nakasendo Magome-juku
1h

At the end of the trek, you will arrive at the beautiful post town of Magome. Situated on a slope, this town offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery and features a main street lined with traditional wooden buildings. There are waterways on either side of the street, and the fast-running water powers multiple waterwheels making the whole town feel a bit like it is out of a fairytale.

The post town features many shops, selling popular local crafts and snacks such as oyaki dumplings, gohei-mochi rice cakes, and ice cream. We recommend looking for some of the wood crafts made from local trees, many of which are extremely fragrant and, just as importantly, small and easy to carry back home. Of course, your guide will be available to help you take photos that will make your friends and family envious.

Your guide will then accompany you back to the tour bus back towards Nagoya, or if you wish, our team can drop your group off elsewhere in the Kiso Valley.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The meetup point is at the base of the SILVER clock tower outside of the Shinkansen gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

End point

The meetup point is at the base of the SILVER clock tower outside of the Shinkansen gates.

If you are arriving via a JR line, please look for signs directing you towards the Taiko-Dori Gate. The silver clock is located inside the station just before the Taiko-Dori exit.

Pickup details

Your driver and guide will meet you at Nagoya Station or at your accommodation in Nagoya.

Additional information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The remaining time is allocated to transport
The path to the waterfalls is currently under construction until February 2027. While we will do our best to include the waterfalls in the hike, there may be some days in which they are inaccessible.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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